Recording system and apparatus



R. M. HOPKINS. RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1911.

Patented July 8, 1919.

5 SHEETSS HEET I.

=0 R A WM 2 s 2.

H ATTORNEY.

R. M. HOPKINS.

RECORDING SYSTE! AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLK'U MAY 31, I917.

Patented July 8, 1919.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

A TTORNEY R. M. HOPKINS. I RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS. APPLYICATION FILED MAY 3]. I91?- 1,309,285. Patented July 8, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- a INVENTOR. W 9.

A TTORNEY.

Wfi w K R. M. HOPKINS. RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. I917.

Patented July 8, 1919.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

ATTORNEY.

R. M. HOPKINS. RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAIYBI. I917.

Pafi nml July 8, 1919 A a w a TL 1 o g a r l o 9 GD o o 9 (11) (ID o e GD 11) 01 10 Q 0 0 9 e 9 e g 9 w 4 o o o O A o 57 INVENTOR. @Mw 4 Mw;.

A TTORNEY.

- the boxes. of other subscribers The invention ofmy said prlor application UNITED v sTAtrEs Regular OFFICE.

'RICHA'RDM. norxnvs, or NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN DISTRICT T EIQEGRAPHCOMPAN Y, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY,

? W JERSEY.

Specification of Letters lPatent.

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

Patented July 8, 1919.

- Application filed May 31, 1917. Serial No. 171,940.

To all arc/2.0111. it may (rolmmn lie it known'that I, RICHARD M. I'IOPKINS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of N ew York, county of New York. and State of New York, have inventcda certain new tem and Apparatus, is a specification.

My iuvent-ion relates to selective systems, pa l'ticlllfll'lySYStelIlS for recording the signals of watchmel'is signal boxes and. thelike, and constitutes a nloditicathm of, and improve ment' on, the'system for the same purpose set forth in my application for Letters Patent. Serialf'No." 144,952, filed January 27, 1917; though the present invention is not restricted to watchn'lens signal recording systems, but is-applicable generally to sys tems employinga plurality of selectors controlled by a master selector. However, it is com enient to describe my invention as applied to the system of said prior application. 1

of which the following Heretofore it has been common to record the signals of a plurality of watchmens sig nal boxes 1 on-a single ting-rushing, other than by the box number, between locations from which the signals come. In many cases it happens that the signal boxes ofseveral subscribers or premises or bulldingsare located in the same circuit, and itis desirable to make the records for the diiiereut subscribers, or premises, or buildings, on differentportions of a record sheet. or onditt'erent record sheets or dials. For example. it is lesir'able to be. able to send, periodically. records tit-signals received fromthe boxes in his own premises, without, of course, sending to-him the records from the boxes in the. same circuit which are in the premises of other.subscribers. In any case, it is obviously desirable to record the signals fronrthe boxes of any one subscriber or premises. separately't'rom the signals from or premises.

berial No. 144,952 comprises means where by this maybe done: 2'. (a, a record of the signals front any one group of signal boxes of a circuit may be made which shall be entirely separate from the records of other groups of boxes of the same circuit. The present invention consists in means whereby and useful Recording Sys hereinafter circuit, without dis-' .to each subscriber. the

the recording apparatus is automatically reset in the event of receipt of an imperfect signal (such, for example, as a signal consisting of one digit only), which, except for the present invention, might leave the master selector and one or more of the other selectors in other than the normal position. "he object of my invention is to cause the automatic. re-setting' of the recording apparatus in the event of receipt of an imperfect signal, and to accomplish this result by simple and reliable means.

ereinafter, for convenience in description, it will be considered that each group of signal boxes pertains to a separate subscriber, and, correspondingly, that each signal-recording magnet and its corresponding punching; or other marking mechanism, referred to, pertainto a single subscriber. Obviously, in pointof fact, one subscriber might have a plurality of groups of signal boxes; all of the signal boxes of all of the groups herein contemplatedmight premises of the same suband the term subscriber is, in

that the 'boxes of a circuit be divided into grou s. and for the purpose of description it is Zdonvenient to consider that each group of b xes pertains to the premises of a single subscriber; and in actual practice this will usually be the case.

I will now tion with reference to the accompanying drawings, showing apparatus and circi'iits, constituting one embodiment of my invention, and will then point out the novel features andv claims.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a sigbox circuit with a plurality of groups of signal boxes therein, and also illustrating diagranmiatically the several selectors, relays, and record-making devices of the system.

Fig, 1 shows an elevation of a characteristic breakwhcel and its co-acting brush or pen,'such as may be used in signal boxes, such as are illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1,

proceed to describe my invenwhich remats the Iigs.29 are drawings illustrating one type of recorder adapted to be used'in connection with a system indicated diagrammatically in Fig, l, and comprising selectors such as are indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. r

Fig. 2 shows a top View and partial section of the said recorder; Fig. 8 shows a rear vertical elevation of the said recorder, with the record-carrying drum removed. Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of the recorder looking from the right of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a. detail fragmentary elevation of the ratchet drive mechanism for the drum; Fig. (3 shows a side elevation of;the master selector and the primary selector, combined to form one,

niec anism; Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of themechanism shown in Fig. 6, with the central portion of the mechanism broken away; Fig. 8 is a detail perspective fragmentary elevation of the release magnet pole-piece and armature of the primary selector; Fig. 9 is a top view of the selector mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

Beterring first to Fig. '1: A designates a signal box circuit comprising a plurality of groups. of signal boxes B, the number of boxes in each group being variable. Each such box may be understood to comprise a signaltransmitting mechanism of the familiar toothed wheeland pen type, as shown,

for example, in Fig. 1; which mechanism, when operated, Wlll break and complete the circuit A according to some prearranged signal, distinctive of the particular box to which the transmitting mechanism operated belongs. Such signal may be considered to be a boy: number, each number to consist of two digits; one digit, preferably the initial digit, of the signals of the boxes of'anv one subscriber, 7'. e.,ith e initial digit of all of the boxes of any one group, will be the same. In other words, the sigi'ials of all of the boxes of one group will beginnvith the digit 2 the signals of all of the boxes of another group will begin with the digit 3; and so on. It should be explained, further, that the term digit is employed herein in a special sense. In the ordinary sense the term digifi' includes any of the" numerals from one to nine inclusive. The break wheels of the signal boxes comprise teeth, with intervening notches, arranged in twogrOups separated by spaces; and the number of teeth in any one of those groups may exceed 9; yet it is convenient tospeak of the numeral represented by thelccth of any one such'group as a digit. and no departure from principle is involved in so doing. I

designates a battery or other source of current supply, in circuit It, and D de ignates a main line rclay, in said i' als of boxes 1% in u statio'i'i circa as herc- Theelenients of the first the local or cent 1' ocscribac,

digit of the box signal are repeated by said relay D into the actuating magnet a of "a Gr, (hereinafter described), conductor 2, the

first contact point and contact arm I) of a master selector F, (hereinafter described), and conductor 3 tothe armature andrear contact stop of main line relay D, and thence through conductor 4, and common return conductor 7 to the other supply conductor Y. As the armature of main line relay I) falls and rises during the operation of any one of the call boxes, this circuit 1-2- 4-7 will be closed and broken successively,

and it will be obvious that the impulses of the first digit of such signal box so operated, as such impulses are transmitted through magnet a of selector G, will cause the contact arm I) of that selector to travel successivel over the contact points of the selector until: at the end of the first digit of the box number, that contact arm I) will have come to rest on a particular contact point of the selector G, thereby forming a circuit throu h one of the Wires 2l26 leadin from t e contact points of said selector (1 to oneof the punch-operating magnets M (the functionof which punch magnets will be explained hereinafter).

-E designates a slow acting governor-relay, the magnet of which is connected by conductor 8 to s upply conductor X and is connected by conductor 9 to the armature of 11116 relay D. It will be obvious that each time the armature of relay D is retracted,

circuit is completed through the magnet of relay E, and through conductor 7. However, this relay E is so slow in action that while its armature e is moved away from the corresponding rear contact stop during the first closure of the contact of relay D in the transmission of a digit, it does not again contact with its'rear stop during. the spaces.

between closures by. relay D during the.

transmission of that digit. The longer spaces, between the digits of the box signals, do, however, cause the armature of relay E to close contact with its rear contact stop, thereby closing acircuit from conductor X throu -:l-. conductor 10, the magnet of arelay c :'hereinafter referred to), the ratchet inagne a ofmaster selector F and conductor '11, the rear contact stop of relay E,-armaturn 6 and thence through conductor-7 to supply conductor Y. Closing this circuit 10-11'causes the contact arm I of selector l to move to the second contact point of selector F, thereby cutting out of circuit the ratchet magnet a of selector G and cutting into circuit 112-347, the ratchet. act a of a third selector, H. As explained hereinafter, this'third selector, H, does not have contact points as do the previous soleetors F and G, butv instead comprises ratchet mechanism whereby, bylthe impulses of the second digit of the box signal repeated by relay 1) through magnet a of, this third selector H. the punches of the recording mechanism are spaced along to a position determined by the numericalvalue of the second digit of the box number.

The armature of relay E is attracted diir-' ing the transmission of the impulses of the second digit of the box-number; but during the space following the second digit, the armature of relay E is again released, thereby operating magnet a of master selector F and moving the contact arm I) of that selector to the third contact point of the selector. T he, instant ratchet. magnet a of master selector F has been so energized,- and has moved arm 6 of master selector F third contact point of that selector, a circuit is completed from supply conductor X through conductor 8, magnet E, conductors 9 and 3. contact arm 7) of selector lithe third contactof that selector, dividing point m, the release magnet m of selector H, the

contact arm I) of selector G, the contact point of that selector on which such arm I; is then resting, the selected punch magnet of series LQ (thereby causing action of the corresponding punching mechanism, as

hereinafter described) and the return condiictor to which those magnets are connect ed, to supply conductor Y. The armature c of-relay E being thereby attracted, the cir cuit of magnet 11 of the master selectors l1 and G have been inultaneously by closure of a circuit from supply conductor X, conductor 8, magnet E, conductors 9 and 3, contact arm 6 of select-or F, the third contact of that selector,

point :12, conductor 18, and conductor 18 to the other supply conductor Y, the arms 7) of selectors F. and G, and the punch-carrying carriage (hereinafter mentioned) of selector H will all retur scribed, the release of arm of selector (it occurs upon the breaking of the circuit of its magnet in by the return to normal of arm 7) of selector F, following energization of magnets m o't selectors F and (l. The arms 11 ot selectors I and G when permitted to return, move to a point somewhat beyond 1 or in rear of the first contact. points of those selectors. The magnet a of selector F being in a circuit which is normally closed. and that magnet a being energized immediately upon the return of the. arm I) to normal, iiii inediately moves such arm 7) to the first contact, point of the selector F and holds it there until, the circuit of magnet a being broken and subsequently completed, the

ratchet pawl, hereinafter referred to, oper ated by such magnet a, retreats, engages another tooth of the, ratchet operating-mechafirst digit of the signal of a boxy,

into contact with the selector F is broken; and as the release magnets m of energized si- Asherei nattet' deiiisin of'tliat-ai'ii and novessucl a to the second point of the selector.-, i

Magnet mot selector 5(l 'is ',in.-a noiiii illy pen circuit, and therefore that ai'ii 5 when returned, remains in rpar ofcetlic-ifi iist 7 of its ser es of contacts con-iic cted to magnets Ir-(Q, iintihthrough the receip ot'ithc is advanced to thefirstfof such-scrip tact-s, and possibl-y to: soineo-tl point of the selector; Referring now to Figs. h nclii ye, illustrating the" mu] ti accord recorder itself, together with the! several fitllfiCtDISnWliiQh, ii

'thou'gh functionally instruments separate;

from the recorder, infthe construction hown are struct'iirally combined with therec'qrder properz. u,-

' designates a suitable franic upon-Which ct: is mounted revoliibly adruin 51-ada1 Ned to carry afsuitablel record sheet. :53 designates a gear wheel, ll'lOIlIltGd llPOll the, shaft- 35 of the drum 51, mats? (Fig;5 desigiiatiis ,a magnetIfoperated ltlfifllttl;eillOClltHtlSllli by which gear WllGQl53, and sodriiiinnl is fated: throughcounter shaft-55', iand inion 55* (Fig, 4) The magnet of thisratchet mechanism is-ene-rgi-Zed at suitable inte w ti. by a time movement, B: (Fig. 11), ,an-dta'es (if? lay'S; I y 4 p L, M, N, O, Paiid'QIlesignate punch-op;

crating magnets, each correspondiiig to' oii to engageteeth 6l*t'o1 -,nied on said bar lfilizs A pin 60? raises pawl 60 clear o figthe teetht G (l1, each time-the armature of mag-net. 57.i

retractedj' and a pin-60" holds-pawl GO i engagement with a tooth 61*,( 510-11 time the prereiits overthrow. "A' spring-,02-tends' tol 52F- piill said 'bar to' the right, .(asiseen in' Fi s .120 3), and will rcstore'the bar from any posi tion to' which-it may havebeeri a'djiisted hy the ratchet mechanism, When-permitted:

dose. 63 designates a holding paivLt'or-thet; Jic bar 56, and m a'iiiagnet (-Wlil'OlI-lS l3l1Q same asmagnet of selecton'Hbf Fig; 1') w when I energized, will liftsaid pa-w163'ther by permitting spring 62to restbre :punch carrying bar' 56. s The arniatures Lt;- Mgii ti;

etc, having spring-actuated rods L, M, etc., 1 0

carrying hammers L", M, etc., which are broad, and each will engage and operate its corresponding punch in any position to which that punch may have been adjusted by the action of the ratchet magnet 57 and pawl 60 on bar 56. The drhm 51 has grooves (35 opposite the various punching-positions, so that the punch points, after passing through the record sheet, do not touch the surface of the drum and so are notblunted. Various parts of the recorder which are not "essential for the understanding of the presarmature 82 therefor, a spring-returned ratchet-pawl 83 operated by said armature 82, and engaging the teeth of ratchet wheel 81 to rotate said wheel, a holding pawl 84, andja release magnet m which, in the case of selectorF,.when energized, pulls pawl 84 clear of the ratchet wheel 81, so permitting return movement of that ratchet wheel and contact arm 6 under the influence ot'a spring 85. The manner of release of arm 7) ct selector (i will be explained hereinafter.

\Vhen ratchet magnet of selector (i is energized, the first portion of the resulting movement of the ratchet pawl 83 of that selector moves that pawl into engagement with a tooth oi the corresponding ratchet wheel 81; further movement of that pawl advancing the ratchet-wheel through the space of one tooth, whereupon the ratchet wheel is held, temporarily, against return,

by holding pawl 84. Successive energillations'of the ratchet magnet a of either selector advance the ratchet wheel 81 a munber of spaces corresponding, to the numerical value of the digit of the box signal by which that ratchet magnet is beingoperated.

The pawl 84 ot' selector G (the right hand selector shown in Figs. 6 and 7) carries a pawl 84 which, when the ratchet. wheel 81 is in normal position, is held in the position shown by a pin 81 carried by ratchet wheel 81. 'When wheel 81 ot' selector G is advanced by ratchet pawl 82, a spring. 84 forces pawl 84 into position for engagement with an extension of armature 84. When vmagnet. m-of selector G is energized, the

armature 84 is pulled up so that the extension of said armature engages with the hook of pawl-84*. Upon deenergization of such magnet m and consequent retraction of armature 84, the extension ol such armature, being still in cngagemw't with pawl 84?, will: raise that pawl, am with it, the holding pawl 84, so ,perm'itting return of ratchet wheel 81; and at the end of such return pin 81 disengages 84 from 84.

Fire sfgnaZ s'.-Fire signals are usually distinguished from watchmens signals by a dash, or by a Morse character containing a dash, preceding or following thebox number; also, by giving the box number of signal a greater number of times than for the watchmens signal. Signal boxes which distinguish in this manner between lire signals and watchmens.signals are well known and in common use. Such boxes commonly com-- prise means whereby the distinguishing sig nal (the dash or the Morse letter containing the dash) is omitted when sending watchmens signals. The break wheel .30 shown in Fig. 1, which wheel is characteristic of break wheels forming a part of the trans-- mitting l'nechanism of combined watchmen and fire alarm boxes, has teeth for transmitting not only the box number (d2, in the particular instance shown) but also the Morse letter F (dot, dash, dot). it is to be understood that, for watchmens signals, the boxes B are provided with one of the wellknown ineans for eliminating this letter F from the boxsignal; but that when a lire signal is sent from any of these boxes the said Morse letter F is included as a part of the signal. This special tire signal made evident at the central station as follows:

U and V, Fig. l, are slow-acting relays, preferably similar to the relay E already described. These two relays are connected in what may be termed cascade series; that is to say, the contacts of relay U control the magnet circuit of relay V. The c'rcuit for the magnet of relay U is from supply conductor X through conductor 8 to magnet of relay U, thence through conductor 13 to the armature of relay D, thence through conductors 4 and 7 to return at Y. This circuit is closed each time the pen 91 (Fig. l) of the box rides upon one of the teeth of the signal wheel 90, and when in consequence, contact is broken between 91 and 92, and the armature of relay D drops. The circuit tor relay V is from X and 8 through the contacts of relay U and thence, when these contacts are closed, throi'lgh the magnet of relay V and to the armature of relay D and thence through the conductors l and 7 to return at Y. The retardation obtained by employing two such relays 111 cascade series, and by the proper adjustment of the relays, is such that the contacts of relay V are not closed while pen 91 is passing over the short teethof the box number of break wheel 90, but are closed during the passage of pen 91 over the dash of the Morse letter F. The contacts of relay V so closed. complete a circuit through the magnet of a drop relay W, as follows: From supply conductor X, conductor is, conductor 3, conductor 15, magnet er relay W, contacts of rela yiv, conductor 16, magnet m of selector F, magnet m of selector G, and back to return at Y. -This relay W has a drop armature, which, when attracted to- Ward the magnet of the relay, brings together contacts 5 and 6, and thereby places a register 17 in circuit between the armature of relay D and supply conductor X. The register will then record subsequently received box number signals.

The drop" armature ofrelay W' is restored by hand (or otherwise) to open contacts 5 and 6 and throw the register 17 out of action. The mere deenergizaton of the magnet of the relay W does not restore the armature.

The sending of the Morse letter F (dot, dash, dot) does not affect the selectors F and H, because there being in this letter F no space equivalent to a space between digits, governor relay E is not operated. Sc-

lector G may be operated, but will be restored automatically. The relay E. is operated by the impulses of the letter F, breaking the circuit of magnet a of selector F; and since'relays U and V close the circuits of release magnets in of'selectors F and G during the dash of the letter F, by a circuit from conductor K through conductor 14', 3 and 1 5 magnet of relay 'W, contacts of relay V, conductor 16', magnets m of selectors F and G,and thn c to Y, arm I; of selector 'F drops backof the first contact oint of 'selector F, and arm 6 of selector v back; but when, during the long s ace following the letter F, the armature oi relay E 5 drops, the circuit of magnet a of selector F is completed again, and arm bot" that solector is brought back to the first contact point oft-hat selector.

Restoration of selectors, etc, in, the event of receipt 0/ imperfect sz'gMZa-Master selector F is provided with two contact points, 19 and 20, normally separated, that is, separated when arm 6 of that selector is on the first contact point of the selector, but arrangedto make contact with each other when that selector arm 6 moves from the first to the second contact of the selector. The contact points of the relay (1, above mentioned, are in series with these contacts 19 and 20. Contact 20 is connected through resistance to the conductor leading from the magnet of relay V to relay l); and the armature of relay 0 is connected to conductor l and so to conductor 7 The magnet 01 rclayc is in the actuating circuit of the ratchet magnet a of master selector F; the magnet of this relay 0 being shunted by resistance to make the action of that relay slow; and the construction of the relay 0 may be such, in other respects, as to make this action slow. This magnet of relay (3 isnormally energized.

Now should, 1%r any reason, impulses rep-.v

resenting one digit only be received, the contacts of relay 0 will be open during the realso drops ceipt of such single series of digits because of the slow acting character of such relay. At the conclusion of the impulse of such single digit, the arm. 7) oi master selector F will .thcn more from the first to the second contact point of thatselcctor. Should no further impulse be received, (for example as in the case assumed, should through some derangement or otherwise, impulses of one digit only be received, no second digit following). thcmag net of relay 0 will attract its armature some time after the conclusion of the impulse of such first digit, and will close a circuit from n'iainsupply conductor X through conductor 8, the magnet of relay U, contact points 20 and 19, of selector F, the contacts of relay 0 and conductors -L and 7 to the other supply conductor Y. By the closure of this circuit justnamedthe relay U is caused to attract its armature, and therefore to energize relay V, closing the contacts of that relay and thereby closing a circuit from conductorx through conductors 14 and 15. the magnet of drop relay W', the contacts of relay V and conductor 16 to point r; and thence through. the restoring circuits of thevarious selectors, previously traced; all of the selectors being thereby returned to normal. Upon the return of the armature b of master selector F to normal, contact points 19 and 20 will be separated the apparatus then being in normal condition. It will further be noted that while the circuit through the magnet 0 exists, the ratchet magnet a of selector F is energizeda.. condition neces- 0 sary for the return of the arm bof'that selector, as previously stated.

together with a plurality of secondary lect'ors (G, H) a space-operated device (governor relay E), whereby the master selector I F is caused to switch selector? out of action with line relay I), and to switch selector H into connection with line relay D, upon the occurrence of a space between digits oi" a box signal; and whereby, on the completion of both digits of the box signal, the selector F is caused to closea restoring (as well as a punching) circuit through its third contact point; whereby all of the selectors are restored to normal; and that the said recording system further comprises means (relays U and V, connected in cascade series to eon: stitutc in eflect a-single slow acting relay operated by a prolonged impulse or'da'sh to also close restoring, circuits; whereby selector F is retained in normal condition, and selector G is returned to normal condition after being actuated by the first dot (if anyl of the "fire signal. My present invention adds to such 'fori'ncr system the contacts i9 and 20 and the restoring relay 0, whereby, in the event of an incomplet signal which [other than the particular 7 have been operated inightrbe substituted cept when ihe'arm 71 of primary selector has left the arm I) of selector F in some intermediate position, relay 0 is actuated,

as a result oi the long space following the incomplete signal, to restore lllll arm 11 ot' selector F to normal condition, and also to restore selector G to normal condition. Relay 0 uses relays U and lalrcady having, a restoring function. as previously. de-

scribed) as a particularly convenient means for the closin of the neccssar 1 restorin h P circuits; obviously, it would be an easy matcircuits; I

In its fundamental aspect, the present invention isindependent of the number of selectors (G, H, etc.) controlled by master selector F, and. it is possible that if the present invention be applied to selective systems selective system of my )rior application, Serial 144,952, solector i might control more than two secondary selectors; but however many secondary selectors the master selector F may control, the restoring relay 0 will cause the restoration of the. master selector F, and oi any of the other selectors which may have been operated, to normal, when such master selector and secondary selector or selectors by an incomplete signal.

In another application, Serial 144,951, filed Jam.- 27, 1917, I have illustrated a recording system comprising more than two secondary selectors controlled by a primal) selector, and have illustrated a so-callcd mechanical governor constituting, in a broad sense, an equivalent of the governor relay or space controlled relay E of my present application and by my said prior application, Serial 144,952. It will be obvious that this restoring relay 0 may the system of my said prior application, Serial 144.951; also'thatthe mechanical governor of said application, Serial 144,951, for the governor relay i l in the present application and of applicalion. Serial 144,952. (ontacts l9 and 20 prevent any restoration action of relay 0 ex F has moved from its first position. Any restoration action of relay tion. of a complete signal is immaterial, since the restoring circuits are completed immediately arm 1) reaches the third contact of selector 1*. at the end of a complete sig nal: and, moreover, in general arm I) will have been restored to normal position. and will have separated contacts 1H and 2!), be- .l'ore rclayc (which is, as above explained, :1

actuation thereby, ranged to switch said first mentioned seleo be applied to after the, comple pulses, of a plurality of selectors very slo acting relay) can have operated following a complete signal. In the event ot a live signal. relays U and V will have ellected restoration, under the influence of the dash of the tire signal, before relay r:

'a plurality of selectors arranged to be con nected successively to said line relay for ac tuation thereby, a master selector arranged to switch said first mentioned selectors into connection with said line relaysuccessively. and restoring means arranged to restore Silll'l selectors and master selector to normal in the event that the master selector is left. for a prolonged period, in an intermediate dition, as may happen when an incomplete signal is received.

2. In a selective system, the combination with a line relay and signaling means adapted for actuating said relay by signals comprisinga plurality of groups of inv 'mlses, of a plurality of selectors arranged to hr connected successively to said line relay for a master selector artors into connection with said line relay successively, and restoring means compris ing a slow acting relay arranged to cause resto 'ation of said selectors and master so lectors to normal, in the event. that the mas ter selector is left, t'or a prolonged period, in an intermediate condition, as may happen when an incomplete signal is received.

3. in a selective system, the combination with a. line relay and signaling; means adapted for actuating said relay by signals comprising 'a plurality of groups of impulses, of a plurality of selectors arranged to be. connected successivel'ylo said line relay for actuation thereby. a master selector arranged to switch said first mentioned se lectors into connection with said line relay successively, and restoring means compri ingz a slow acting relay arranged to restoration of said selectors and master lector to normalin the; event that the master selector is left. for a prolonged period, in an intermediate condition, as may happen when an incomplete ter selector havinga contact, broken when said master selector is in normal condition, and closed when said master selector operated by a signal, which contact. when opcn.,interrupts the. actual circuit of said slow acting" relay.

l. in a selective system, the ci'mibination with a line relay and signaling means adapted for acuating said relay by signals comprising a plurality of groups of imarranged i. it)

signal is received: said masto be connected successivelyfto said line for actuation. thereby, a masterselecrelay tuatn circuit of said master selector and open at y'spaces between-impulse groups, but ot by shorter-spaces between impulses, l'ca 1mg means setgin operation by said i: selector and the governorduringthespace followin a complete signal, and ot meansarrang'ed to restore said s and master selector to normal, in at that the-master selector'is left, prolonged period, in an intermediate ion, n selective system, the combination a plurality of secondary selectors, and signaling means adapted for actuating said selectors and adapted to be connected to said secondary selectors successively, of a master selector arranged to switch said secondary selectors-into connection with said signaling.means successively, and restoring means arranged to restore said secondary select-o s and master selector to normal, in the event that the master selector is left, for a prolonged period, in an intermediate condition,

in a selective system, the combination Iura-lity of'secondary selectors, and means adapted for actuating said i and adapted to be connected to said secondary selectors successively, of a for n cond master selector arranged to switch said secselectors into connection with said rig means successively, and restoring comprising a slow acting relay arranged o cause restoration of said second- :orsand master selector to normal, in the event that the master selector is let for a prolonged period, in an interte condition. I

a selective system, the combination urality of secondary selectors, and means adapted for actuating said selectors and adapted to be connected to said secondary selectors successively, of a master selector arranged to switch said sec ondary selectors into connection with said signaling means successively, and restoring means comprising a slow acting relay arranged to cause restoration of said secondtors and master selector to normal, vpt that the master selector 1s left, rcionged' period, in an intermediate 11,. said master selector having a contact, broken when said master selector is in normal condition, and closed when said in 'stei' selector is in other than normal conditi' n, which contact, when open, interrupts the actuating circult of sand slow act Y mg relay,

8-. in. a selective system, the combination with a plurality of secondary selectors and v selector 'means arranged to restore signaling means adapted to actuate said secimpulse groups, but not by shorter spaces etween impulses, restoring means set in operation by said master selector and the governor during the space following a complete signal, and other restoring means arrangedto restore said selectors and master selector to normal, in the event that the master selector is left, for a prolonged period, in an intermediate condition.

9. In a selective system, the combination with a plurality of secondary selectors, and. signaling means adapted to actuate said secondary selectors by signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, and by signals comprising impulses of diifering lengths, of a master selector arranged to switch said secondary selectors successively into operative connection with such sign-ah ing means, a governor, controlling the actuating circuit of said master selector, and operated by spaces between impulse groups, but not by shorter spaces between impulses, restoring means set in operation by said master selector and the governor during the space following a complete signal, other restoring means set in operation by one of the longer impulses, and still other restoring means arranged to restore said selectors and master selector to normal, in the event that the master selector is left, for a pro-' longed period, in an intermediate condition.

10. In a selective system, the combination with a line relay and signaling means adapted for actuating said relay by signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, and by impulsespf differing lengths, of a plurality of secondary selectors arranged tqbe connected. successively to said line relay" for actuation thereby, a master selector arranged to switch said secondary selectors in connection with said lilue relay successively, a governor, controllilng; the actuating circuit 01" said master selectorand operated by spaces between impulse groups, but not by shorter spaces between impulses, restoring means set in operation. by said master selector and the governor during the spacefollowing a complete signal, other re-- storing means arranged to restore such secondary selectors and master selector to nor- ;mal, in the event of the transmission of one of the longer impulses, and further restoring said-selectors and master selector to normal, in the event that the master selector is left, for a prolonged period, in an intermediate condition.

, 11, In a selective system, the combination ing means set in operation by said master selector and the governor during the space following a complete signal, other restoring means arranged to restore such secondary selectors and master selector to normal, in the event of the transmission of one of the longer impulses, and further restoring means arranged to operate, in the event that the master selector is left, for a prolonged period, in an. intermediate condition, and arranged, when it operates, to set in operation the above mentioned restoring means open ated by one of the longer impulses.

12. In a selective system, the combination with a plurality of secondary selectors, and signaling means adapted to actuate said secondary selectors, and comprisin transmitters arranged to transmit na s comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, and also to transmit a special signal separated from such g "cups of impulses, of a master selector arranged to switch such sccondary selcctois successively into operative connection with such signaling means, a gov ernor, controlling the actuating circuit of said master selector, and operated by spaces between impulse groups, but not by shorter spaces between iu pulsw, restoring means set in operation by the master selector and the governor during the space following a complete signal, other restoring means set in operation by the special signal referred to, and still other restoring means arranged to restore said selectors and master selector to normal, in the event that the master selector is left, for a period longer than the space between the regular signal and special. signal or" said transmitters, in an intermedt ate condition,

13. In a selective system, the combination with a plurality of secondary selectors, and

signaling means adapted to actuate said goverztior controlling the actuating circuit of said master selector, and operated by spaces between impulse groups, but not by shorter spaces between impulses, restoring means set in operation by the iii-aster selector and the governor during the space following a complete signal, other restoring means set in operation by the special signal referred to, and a slow actio restoring relay connected in circuit with the governor, and arranged to operate a plurality of groups of impulses, and also to transmit a special signal separated from such groupsof impulses by a space longer than the space between the groups of impulses, of a master selector arrange to switch such secondary selectors successively into operative connection with such signaling means, a governor, controlling the a/ctuating circuit of said master selector, and operated by spaces between impulse groups, but not by shorter spaces between impulses, restoring means set in operation by the macter selector and the governor during the space following a complete signal, other restoring means set in operation. by the special signal referred to, and a slow acting restoring relay connected in circuit with the governor and a1 ringed to cause the operation of the restoring means normally operated only by the special signal referred to, in the event that the master selector left, for a period longer than the space between the regular signal and the special signal of said transmitters, in an intermediate condition.

15. In selective system, the combination with plurality of secondary selectors, and

signaling rue-ans adapted to actuate said secondary selectors, and eonrp-ris" g transmitters arrai ed to transmit signals comprising a plur ety of groups of impulses, and also to transmit. a special. signal separated from such groups of impulses by a space longer thanthe space between. the groups of impulses, of a master selector arranged to switch such. secondary selectors successively into operative connection with such signaling means, a governor, controlling the actuating circuit of said master selector, and operated by spaces betweeirimpulse groups, but not by shorter spaces between impulses, restoring means set in operation by the tor selector and the governor during the space following; a complete signal, other restoring means set in operation by the spec iiignal referred to, and a slow acting got "eotecl circuit with the gov- :irnor 21ml arranged to cause the operation of we restoring means normally operated only by thospec-izil signal. referred to in the event limit iille master seleot-or is left, for :1 pr iocl lonfier than the space between the w ol a ssi {ml and the special signal of said t in an intermediate condition, select-or having o- Contact in the vial slow aet ig' relay eonrresaid, which en when :he ssirl master selecin nor condition, and. closed 1E master selector is in a condition i to partial operation.

3' leoti're system, the Combination Sig-roilingmeans adaptrelsy, comprising "snsmn; signals of gron os of iml' by a. space, and also to r-orate signal seporetecl from regular signal by a longer i aiity of secondary selecrme to connected successively signaling men: 01: actuation thereniusier :eleetor arrengeil switch llllz (Milli v said secondary selectors in eonneoiaion with said line relay successively, and comprising an actuating magnet, a governor, controlling the actuating" circuit of such master selector magnet, and operated by spaces between impulse v groups, but not by shorier spaces between impulses restoring means set in op eration by said m asier selector and governor during the space following a complei'e regular signal, a slow acting restoring relay having its magnet in circuit with the ssio Ina net of the master selector, sairl restoring relay arranged to operate in the event that the master selector is leftin an intermediate condition for a period longer than the space between the regular signal and the special signal of said transmit ters, and restoring means operated by said slow acting restoring relay when so operated.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subsorilm ing Witnesses.

RICHAP M HOPKINS.

v lVit-nesses:

G110. Boson, NELLIE Hero. 

